May 23, 2024
Artist Talk & Opening Reception:
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at 7:00pm
Exhibition: May 24th to June 6th, 2024
Gallery hours are by chance or appointment, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
“High Visibility” by Letitia Fraser is a walk through the artist’s journey connecting the rich tapestry of African Nova Scotian heritage intertwined with the historic town of Lunenburg. Rooted in the shared trade of carpentry, a hallmark of rural life, and the lasting craftsmanship. This Exhibition is an exploration of identity, lineage, and the enduring bonds between community and place.
In a time of rapid technological advances, Letitia draws inspiration from the trades that have shaped both her lineage and the fabric of rural communities. The collection of work celebrates the artistry of carpentry, stone masonry and the people who brave these highly physical occupations. These practices serve as more than just professions, but also as vessels of cultural memory, passed down through generations.
Hits of neon hues reminiscent of high visibility clothing worn by labourers, or a buoy floating in the ocean, interrupt the canvas, drawing attention to the vital role of those who work in the shadows. These vibrant colors serve not only as a visual element but as a testament to the resilience and strength of those who labour unseen, their contributions essential yet often overlooked.
Letitia Fraser is an interdisciplinary artist, whose work centres around her experience as an African Nova Scotian woman, growing up in the province’s Black communities of North Preston and Beechville. Descending from a long line of artists, her creative instincts were nurtured early in life. Through a combination of painting and textiles, she unearths previously untold narratives and pays homage to her community’s history of quilting.
Recent exhibitions include Family Patterns with Darcie Bernhardt at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (2022), Every Chain at the Chester Art Gallery, Halifax (2022), Letitia Fraser at Mount St. Vincent Art Gallery, Nova Scotia (2019) and Mommy’s Patches: Traditions & Superstitions at the Anna Leonowens Gallery, Nova Scotia (2019).
She graduated with a BFA from NSCAD University in 2019. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2018 Nova Scotia Talent Trust RBC Emerging Artist Award and was recently longlisted for the 2022 Sobey Art Award. Her work is included in several private and public collections including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Scotiabank, the Canada Council and the Wedge Collection.